A record-breaking heatwave swept across multiple East Asian countries in recent weeks, causing widespread agricultural damage and loss of life. In South Korea, temperatures reached 42.5C on August 2 in Yangsan, marking the highest reading since modern weather observations began in 1904. The extreme heat has resulted in at least 31 deaths nationally and devastated the agricultural sector, with farmers reporting crop failures across various regions. Potato fields north-east of Seoul yielded soft, collapsed tubers described as resembling boiled potatoes, while watermelon and strawberry farmers experienced total crop losses.
The heat toll extended beyond human casualties to significant livestock losses. South Korea’s disease control agency reported more than 900,000 livestock deaths and 1.4 million farmed fish fatalities attributed to the conditions. Government authorities issued urgent warnings telling residents to cease outdoor activities immediately. President Lee Jae Myung characterized the weather as unprecedented and called for a comprehensive overhaul of the national crisis management system, stating that such extreme conditions were becoming routine.
Neighbouring Japan experienced similarly severe conditions, with multiple locations recording temperatures of 40C or higher. The country’s weather agency introduced a new category this year termed “kokusashi” for temperatures exceeding 40C, and three lions died of suspected heatstroke at a Tokyo zoo. Climate researchers determined that Japan’s intense July heat would have been virtually impossible without human-caused global warming, occurring on average once every 10,000 years under natural conditions.
Hong Kong recorded its highest official temperature since 1884 at 36.9C as outer bands of Typhoon Dolphin brought hot air over the territory. The extreme conditions exposed deficiencies in the city’s heat stress warning system for outdoor workers, which remained at its lowest alert level despite record temperatures. Hong Kong’s Labour Department announced plans to review the warning system in response to the criticism.
Climate scientists attribute the regional heatwave to a combination of factors including atmospheric circulation patterns and ongoing global warming. The World Meteorological Organization reported that Asia’s warming pace between 1991 and 2025 has been roughly double that of the previous three decades. Experts warned that such heatwaves are expected to increase in frequency and intensity as global temperatures continue rising, necessitating urgent emissions reductions and comprehensive climate adaptation strategies.
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